Norwood concentrating on Euros despite latest Clarets link

Oliver Norwood admits he would love to play for the Clarets one day but insists talk of a summer move is pure speculation.

The Burnley-born Reading midfielder is many fans’ choice to replace Joey Barton, the talismanic midfielder having joined Rangers after helping Sean Dyche’s side back into the Premier League

One day I would love to play for Burnley

Oliver Norwood

The 25-year-old made 43 appearances for the Royals in the Championship last term but says his focus is on representing Northern Ireland at Euro 2016 in France.

“There have been little bits of speculation but I don’t really pay much attention to it,” said the former Manchester United youngster.

“I’ve got a good agent so if anything happens he will take care of it.

“The only thought on my mind at the minute is the Euros.

“It’s a massive summer for me and if I play well at the tournament we’ll just have to see what happens after that.”

Norwood concedes that his roots in East Lancashire mean a move to Turf Moor will always be talked about.

“I think I’ll always get linked with a move to the club because I’m a Burnley lad and all of my family are Clarets,” he said.

“People just put two and two together and get five.

“If it does arise, though, you never know. One day I would love to play for Burnley.

“I don’t know if it will happen any time soon but it’s something that I would always like to do.

“Everyone knows I like Burnley.”

Reflecting on his season with Reading, Norwood admitted there was plenty of disappointment at the Madejski Stadium as the Royals finished 17th in the Championship, a campaign that led to boss Brian McDermott being sacked.

“It was poor,” he said. “I felt we should’ve finished in the top six or thereabouts but it didn’t happen.

“We started the season well, beating Middlesbrough and Burnley, and went on a really good run.

“Unfortunately we couldn’t sustain that and for one reason or another it didn’t happen for us.

“It just fell apart. Personally I felt I did very well so I’m going in to the Euros in good form.